Friday, February 10, 2012

Block Stage 2

The article I chose too discuss is called "To boost grant funding, UT may opt for tobacco-free campus" from the Austin American Statesman. Here in 2012, the University of Texas administrators are seriously considering banning the smoking of tobacco products on campus. The reason for this change is because the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas are providing grants of money too institution with one condition, recipients must maintain a tobacco-free campus. In this particular case, the grant would bring in $88 million to UT for cancer research. The discussion of whether the ban should take effect began on February 9. Even some students, like UT president of Texas Public Health Matt Haviland,are for the tobacco ban. Others, including university president William Powers, are opposed to the ban and think that it alienates the students who do smoke. Either way, administrators say if the ban does take effect there will not be punishments such as fines or warnings for violators. Instead, the enforcement strategy will include posting tobacco-free signs and having students and faculty encourage others to follow the rules.